Author: SusanJC_AdmEeN

Dentists work not only to extract the damaged tooth and periodic cleanings alone. There is a wide range of services that various dentists offer. Having a dental makeover is just as simple as having your nails done. Numerous treatments are available to enhance and promote your dentition. Do you need teeth straightening or tooth replacements? The, dental makeovers are the solution to these oral problems. Dentists are involved with the attachment and maintenance of most cosmetic fissures. Teeth enhancement procedures are becoming popular as the world is evolving. Do you think you might need one? See cosmetic dentists around you and get recommendations on the therapy that would work best for you.

Cosmetic dentistry ranges from simple to slightly complex dental processes. They all help to give you a smile makeover. Cosmetic dentistry may involve minor surgery on some occasions. It is required that you visit a dental professional to get this treatment. Dentists are concerned with the safety of your gums, teeth, jaws, and other oral structures. There are local beauticians and even over-the-counter materials that can improve the oral outlook. However, this is not advisable as they are not safe. Visit cosmetic dentists at Wall Township, NJ, and get reliable treatments such as teeth whitening, tooth shaping, tooth veneers, dental crowns, and dental implants.

What Situations Warrant The Need Of Cosmetic Dental Treatments?

Individuals who eventually use cosmetic attachments may have previously suffered low self-esteem due to their appearance. Having a new look gives them an edge to stand tall in society. Cosmetic dental treatments solve way more issues that affect a lot of people. But what are these situations that call for such procedures?

Hiding discolored teeth can be possible with a makeover. Other issues include;

1. Chips or cracks in between the teeth.
2. Gaps or spaces at very visible areas of your dental layout.
3. Badly broken or damaged tooth.
4. Incorrect bite
5. Spaces on the occlusal surface of the teeth.
6. Crooked or misaligned teeth.
7. Missing teeth due to periodontal infections, or accidents.
8. Brown teeth due to stains from foods, drinks, and certain chemicals. An example is a chemical called tetracycline.

 Which Cosmetic Procedures Can Replace Your Beautiful Smile?

Dentists could suggest any therapy that is most suitable for you. These involve different mechanisms that all aim to enhance your beauty. Below are some cosmetic processes you could try out:

1. Dental Implants: These substitute for natural teeth. Tooth loss occurs due to injuries to the jaw and demolition and also periodontal infections. The dental implants serve as artificial teeth. The device settles into the tooth root, jaw, or surrounding bone structure through a minor surgical procedure. Implants anchor the jaw and support other dental fissures like crowns, dentures, and tooth bridges. It only occurs if the tooth root is not strong enough to uphold these artificial attachments.
2. Teeth Whitening: Bleaching the teeth is a method of improving the teeth’ shade. Dentists use hydrogen peroxide to whiten the teeth. Most individuals often visit a local beautician to get their teeth whitened. It is risky as they are not the specialists meant to bleach one’s teeth. You can obtain a professional teeth whitening treatment at the office of any cosmetic dentists around you. Always seek advice from your dentist before starting any whitening process on your oral structure.
3. Dental Veneers: Veneers are thin shell-like materials that cover the tooth surface. Dentists usually use it to hide cracks, stains, and chips on the front teeth. Thereby, your perfect dental image gets replaced. Veneers are porcelain or ceramic material. They cover gaps in the teeth and severe teeth discoloration( that bleaching can not remove).
4. The Invisalign braces: One of the types of dental bracket is the Invisalign. This appliance corrects mild misalignment defects. The Invisalign is also called an invisible plastic aligner. Individuals like this recent technology because it is barely noticeable to people around. One does not need to be too self-conscious about wearing a brace. Both kids and adults can use the Clear plastic aligners.
5. Inlays and Onlays: These appliances fix the tooth after moderate tooth decay. They are indirect dental fillings. Dentists use the inlays to cover the front teeth. It occurs when the good part of the dentition is unable to accommodate a filling material. The onlays play a role in the tooth that has a larger area of damage. Be sure to visit your dentist if you need one.
6. Cosmetic Dental bonding: Bondings cover up damage, chipped, broken, or cracked teeth. Smile makeovers involving dental bondings require extraction of some tooth enamel. These change the shape of the natural teeth.

Other cosmetic treatments include the fixing of dental crowns, teeth shaping(also called enamel shaping), and dental fillings. Do you need any of these therapies? See your dentist and get one.

Restorative dentistry focuses on dental techniques to restore the functionality of natural teeth. With the advancement in dentistry, dentists can always opt for surgeries to remove decayed or impacted teeth and replace them with dental prostheses and dental implants. Natural teeth gas their aesthetic value, and specific dental processes can restore worn-out or chipped teeth. Teeth help to chew the food and to speak distinctly.

Understanding Dental Crowns and Dental Fillings

For a non-specialist, both dental crowns and dental fillings might seem a way to restore or strengthen worn-out teeth. There is a substantial difference between a crown or a dental filling, but both these restorative methods of dentistry focus on treating cavities. Dentists in Wall Township perform a comprehensive oral examination to assess the condition of impacted teeth and decides on administering dental crowns or fillings.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a prosthetic tooth made from ceramics or porcelain fitted directly on an existing natural tooth. Crown finds application when the existing teeth are badly impacted or decayed due to cavities. Crowns are also known as a tooth cap and act as a protective covering of the damaged teeth and prevent further damage.

Crowns can be combined with dental bridges and can conceal gaps between teeth. Crowns can protect a weak or chipped tooth and can support larger dental fillings. Modern dentists use a combination of crowns and dental bridges, which gives more stability than dental implants. Crowns are affordable, easy to clean, and lasts for long periods. You can chew and talk distinctly with dental crowns.

Dental Fillings

Crowns act as protective caps on impacted teeth and protect them from further decay. Dental fillings are essential to fill gaps caused mainly by cavities. The affected tooth is drilled to remove the debris and cleaned thoroughly to fill them with dental fillings. Depending on the budget and choice of the patient, the dentist might use gold, silver, amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain to fill the teeth. Dental fillings can be completed in a single visit to the dentist and are the most common and straightforward process to treat cavities.

Factors Determining the Choice of Filling or Crown

Although the dentist takes the call to administer dental crowns or fillings, certain factors guide the dentist’s decision.

The Teeth Condition

Dental crowns are the first choice for a tooth that has undergone multiple dental fillings. Several fillings make the tooth weak, and the crown provides the much-needed support. A tooth with numerous or large fillings is more prone to infection of the roots called pulpits. Crowns protect the teeth from this bacterial infection.

Root Canal

When a tooth is impacted or infected, the tooth loses its core and becomes weak and hollow. A root canal is the only treatment to treat such teeth, and crowns fit with the root canal. The crowns are placed on the titanium posts that serve the function of natural teeth.

Cavity Size

The size of the dental cavity is a decisive factor in deciding to go with crowns or fillings. An untreated decay deepens, and the size of the cavity increases. Such significant cavities can be treated with dental crowns, and a small decay can be filled with dental crowns.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

A crown resembles natural teeth and can be an excellent means to repair a chipped or broken tooth. The crown acts as a protective cap and strengthens the cracked tooth. Dental fillings do not find application in treating a broken or chipped tooth.

Final Note

When you visit Susan J. Curley DDS, the dentists with over 25 years of experience perform a comprehensive oral examination and decide whether dental crowns or fillings would be the best option to treat your impacted teeth. Apart from crowns and fillings, we offer cosmetic dentistry and implantology. You may book an appointment, and we accept all major insurances.

Going by the condition of your teeth, dental crown or fillings can be appropriate, and one cannot declare crowns or fillings better than the other. But crowns have a slight edge as they protect the weak teeth and can support larger dental fillings. Crowns can also be used in combination with brides and dental implants, but a dental filling finds application only in filling small cavities.

Periodontitis or infection of the gums affects almost one-third of Americans every year. Periodontal disease needs to be addressed in the initial stage to avoid further challenges. Most moderate to chronic gum diseases can be managed successfully by medical treatment to reduce bacterial activity and remove calculus.

What is Periodontal Disease?

The teeth constitute various parts, enamel being the outermost covering. The enamel covers the dentine. The teeth are embedded in the gums, and the hollow cavity of the teeth is filled up with delicate pulp—the pulp houses numerous nerve endings and blood vessels.

Periodontal diseases are the inflammation of the gums, mostly due to infection. Periodontal diseases affect the protective and supporting tissues around the teeth adversely. Gingivitis is the marginal tissue inflammation due to the accumulation of plaque on the teeth’s surface. Gingivitis is common among Americans, and the rate has increased as high as 90% of the overall population.

If left untreated, gingivitis might grow into periodontitis which would lead to loss of periodontal attachments. The final fate of periodontitis might be infected jawbones. Bone reabsorption and tooth loss is a common consequence of periodontal disease.

Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal examination by an experienced dentist is the first step to diagnose periodontal disease. Such dental examination is part of the regular comprehensive oral examination. The dentist might use a periodontal probe to measure the sulcus. The measurement of pockets of spaces between the teeth is a mode to diagnose periodontitis.

The dentist might also employ the following methods for the correct diagnosis of periodontal disease.

• Comprehensive oral examination to look for plaque and tartar and check for signs of gum infection.
• Reviewing the medical history to identify any pertinent factor that would lead to the symptoms of periodontal diseases as chewing of tobacco, smoking, or medication that causes dry mouth.
• The measurement of the groove between gums and teeth can determine whether you are suffering from periodontitis. The usual pocket size is 1 millimeter to 3 millimeters. Any pocket above this size can be a sign of periodontitis.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease

The treatment for periodontal disease can be performed by a dentist, a dental hygienist, or a periodontist. The primary goal of treatment for periodontal disease is a thorough cleaning of the oral cavity. A routine to maintain a hygienic oral cavity can reduce the chances of periodontal diseases. A change in lifestyle by avoiding chewing tobacco or quitting smoking can help to reduce the chances of periodontitis.

The non-surgical treatments include:

Scaling

Scaling is a process generally performed by oral hygienists to clean the oral cavity comprehensively. Poor brushing or flossing results in accumulation of a sticky thin film of plaque on the teeth’s surface. With time the plaque forms a tough layer of tartar. Oral hygienists remove the tartar during scaling to nullify bacterial activity that erodes the enamel.

Root Planing

Root planing is performed to smoothen the outer surface of the teeth to discourage further deposition of tartar. Bacterial activity thrives on tartar and leads to inflammation ad corrosion of the enamel.

Antibiotics

Oral or topical antibiotics can control bacterial infection. Dentists might prescribe the same to keep the bacterial infection in check.

Surgical Treatments

Flap surgery is the most common surgery performed by dentists to reduce pocket size. The pockets are gaps between teeth that provide a thriving place for bacterias. The periodontist makes a small insertion to lift a section of the gum tissues to reduce the gaps.

Soft tissue grafting and bone grafting are done to reinforce the jawbones and tissues of the oral cavity. These surgical processes are beneficial to cover exposed roots and reduce gum recession. The latest introduction in surgical treatment to treat periodontal disease is guided tissue regeneration. This surgical process allows the regrowth of bones and tissues that bacteria have destroyed.

The Periodontal Dentist

Susan J. Curley DDS has reputed periodontal dentists in Wall townships, NJ. With over 25 years of combined experience, Susan J. Curly Dentist provides implantology and cosmetic dentistry. We offer late hours service to accommodate dental care from your busy schedule. With experienced periodontal dentists, you can expect comprehensive dental care here. We also accept insurance. Book an appointment to know more.

Poor oral hygiene has an impact on your teeth and gums. Therefore, if you don’t brush or floss your teeth regularly, you might be at risk of tooth decay and gum disease. When food particles accumulate below the gumline, bacterial acts on them, forming plaque and tartar.

Plaque and tartar accumulation causes tooth decay and gum infections. If your gums are infected, you should seek treatments to prevent further complications. Some of the complications associated with periodontal disease include:

• Gum recession
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss

Gum infections are associated with other general health problems such as stroke and cardiac conditions. Therefore, you should consider seeking treatments to prevent such health problems.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

When you have a gum infection, the condition worsens over time. Below are the stages of periodontitis:

Gingivitis

The first stage of periodontal disease is inflammation. During the gingivitis stage, you are likely to experience bleeding on your gums when you are brushing or flossing your teeth. You might also see plaque deposits on the teeth surfaces and below the gum line.

Early Periodontal Disease

During the early stages of periodontitis, your gums recede, and small pockets start forming around the gum line. The periodontal pockets harbor bacteria and plaque that can lead to bone loss and other conditions.

Moderate Stage

If gum disease is left untreated, you might experience progressive gum recession, pain, and bleeding. During the stage of periodontitis, your teeth start becoming loose, and you might experience an inflammatory response throughout the body.

Advance Stage

During the advanced stages, you might experience tooth loss, bone loss, and your gums become swollen, red, and tender. When your gum disease is in its terminal stages, you might experience bleeding, pain when chewing, bad breath, and a foul smell in your mouth.

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Some of the signs and symptoms associated with periodontitis include:

• Bleeding gums when your brush or floss your teeth
• Gum recession
• Change in your teeth’ positions
• Bad odor and a foul taste in your mouth
• An inflammatory response that spreads to the whole body
• Redness, tenderness, and gum swelling
• Tartar and plaque build-up on your teeth and below the gum line
• Periodontal pockets around your gum line

When you experience the above dental problems, you can contact the dentist near you. Your dentist might recommend periodontal treatments. At the dental clinic, the dentist or periodontist will check your gums for the progression of the gum infection. With the diagnosis, your dentist can create a custom treatment plan for you.

Treating Periodontal Diseases

The most effective way of treating gum disease is through prevention. Therefore, you can consider good oral hygiene practices to prevent the development of gum infections. To prevent gum infections, you can consider regular dental visits to your dentist for dental exams and cleanings.

If you have developed gum disease, the dentist might recommend the following treatments:

Deep Cleaning

During the early stages of gum disease, your dentist might recommend root planing and scaling during your routine dental exam. The procedure involves removing plaque deposits under your gums and smoothening the surfaces. Smoothening the surfaces under the gums helps the gum reattach with the teeth after receding.

Antibiotics

Since periodontal diseases are a result of bacterial infections, your dentist might recommend antibiotics. Some of the medications can be topical or oral. Topical medications include antiseptic mouth rinses to eliminate bacteria in the gums. On the other hand, oral medications are necessary to eliminate the infection-causing agents.

Surgery

When your periodontal disease is in its advanced stages, your dentist might recommend treatments such as flap surgery. During the surgery, the dentist will cut through your gums o remove the content of the periodontal pockets and reduce the size.

Flap surgery also exposes the tooth’s roots, aiding scaling and root planing. Therefore, your teeth can reattach with the gums. However, your dentist might recommend medications to eliminates any signs of infection on the gums. If your soft tissues are damaged, the dentist might recommend soft tissue grafts.

For damaged jawbone, your dentist will recommend tooth extraction and bone grafting to restore your appearance, improve chewing and reduce the risk of other complications. Therefore, if you need gum treatments for a healthy smile, you can visit us at Susan J. Curley DDS dental clinic.

The Invisalign® treatment is pretty much like traditional orthodontic treatment, and it can be used to correct wide gaps between teeth and teeth misalignment. Many people have been convinced that Invisalign is only used for mild cases, but that’s not the case.

These clear aligners have been around for over 20 years, and they’ve been used to correct millions of mild and severe cases. If you are not sure about the treatment, this blog is for you. We will provide you with facts about clear aligners to help you make an informed decision.

What is Invisalign?

It is a modern orthodontic approach that uses transparent and removable aligners to correct misaligned teeth and wide gaps between teeth. The aligners are designed to exert gentle pressure on a patient’s teeth and move them towards the desired direction without causing too much discomfort.

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners do not use brackets and wires. This means food can’t be caught in between the wires, making it easier for you to maintain proper oral hygiene. The SmartTrack material used to make the aligners is FDA-approved, so you can be sure it is safe on your gums and teeth.

How Does Clear Aligners Work?

Typically, invisible aligners work pretty much the same as traditional braces. They are custom fit, and they apply gentle pressure to the patient’s teeth. However, the difference comes in maintenance. With traditional braces, you can eat and drink with the braces in your mouth since they are non-removable.

In an Invisalign treatment, you should never eat or drink anything except water with clear aligners in your mouth. You should always remove your aligners before meals to avoid staining them with food, making them visible. You should not smoke with them either. Also, you should wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day and replace them every two weeks. Your dentist will show you how to replace them and give you the replacements.

Why Should I Choose Invisalign?

Traditional braces have been around for the longest time, and they always get the job done. However, they are not always ideal for adults. Not many adults can feel proud walking around with metal braces on their mouths. Apart from that, here are more benefits of clear aligners.

• They are easier to maintain compared to traditional braces.
• You can eat all your favorite foods and not compromise the treatment. All you need to do is remove your aligners and eat your food.
• They are more comfortable than braces since they are customized.
• You can know what to expect after the treatment. The dentist will show you a picture of how your smile will look like after the treatment.

Invisalign Treatment Duration

Some people who choose clear aligners have been convinced that it takes lesser time to treat orthodontic problems. That’s not the case, though. Clear aligners take as long as traditional braces. However, some cases are faster with clear aligners, and so are some cases with metal braces.

That said, expect the treatment to last between six months and three years, depending on the severity of your problem. Your dentist will give you an estimated duration before the treatment commences. Be sure to follow your dentist’s advice if you want the treatment not to take longer than the estimated duration.

Does the Treatment Hurt?

Hurt is a huge word to use to describe the discomfort associated with clear aligners during the first few weeks. Like traditional braces, your teeth will take some time before they get used to the aligners, and you might experience some discomfort, such as increased sensitivity. However, you will get used to the aligners before you know it, and the discomfort will be gone.

Taking Care of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are quite easy to maintain. Here are some tips to make your work even easier:

• Quit smoking
• Always brush your teeth before putting back your Invisalign.
• Rinse your aligners before putting them back on your teeth.
• Wash the aligners with colorless soap from time to time.
• Always store the aligners in their case after removing them while eating. Leaving them in the open exposes them to bacteria and increases the risk of losing them.
• Don’t eat or drink when you have the aligners on your mouth. You can take some water, though.

Susan J. Curley DDS

If you are looking for teeth straightening services near you, we are here for you. We offer all types of orthodontic services, and we will help you get that perfect smile you deserve. Book an appointment now.

You’re biting down on your favorite candy or ice block when you notice a hard substance in your mouth that doesn’t break. The feeling of realizing afterward that it was a piece of a broken tooth is quite sickening.

The tooth enamel is among the hardest and most mineralized body tissue, yet it has its limits. Certain activities such as falling, receiving a hard blow in the face, or biting hard on hard food like bones and candy can cause the tooth enamel to break. If you have underlying tooth decay, your tooth enamel can also be more susceptible to breakage or chipping.

Broken teeth are, however, salvageable, so don’t panic. Visit Susan J. Curley DDS soonest possible to save your broken tooth.

Caring for a Broken or Chipped Tooth

As soon as you realize a broken tooth, see an emergency dentist. If the situation is not so severe, you can wait till the next day and see your general dentist for further instructions. Waiting further can cause more damage, which leads to infection on the teeth and can cause you to lose your tooth.

In the meantime, you can follow these self-care measures.

• If there is pain in the tooth, use acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain medications. Rinse using saltwater.
• If the chip causes a sharp edge on the tooth, try covering it using wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum. This will prevent it from cutting your tongue, inner lip, or cheek.
• Must you eat, incorporate soft foods, and try not to bite down on the damaged tooth.

Treatment for damaged teeth depends on how severe the damage is. If the enamel has only small chipping, fixing it is usually straightforward and will require only one dental visit. Badly damaged tooth enamel will need a lengthier and costlier process.

Here are a few ways your dentist will repair a broken tooth.

Dental Fillings

When thinking of ways to repair your broken or chipped tooth, fillings always come to mind as the first option. It’s generally the most common form of restorative dentistry. Fillings treatment is not meant to repair or replace the entire tooth but is sure to repair damage caused by tooth decay.

There are several motions for tooth fillings, grouped according to the material used. Silver/ amalgam fillings have long been the most common for their affordability, durability, and ease of application. Their drawback is that they are visible even from outside.

Composite resins and porcelain fillings are not as durable as amalgam fillings but have the tooth color, so they aren’t visible on the tooth.

Tooth Bonding

Bonding is an instant option for repairing broken and chipped teeth. The process involves applying a composite resin on the damaged site, then shaping it until it corrects the damaged tooth. Dentists can use tooth bonding to restore a broken-off piece of tooth or use it to fill a crack or chipping.

An advantage of dental bonding is that they require only one appointment for treatment. Only a single appointment is required for the correction. There is no waiting for restoration to come from the lab, as is with some forms of cosmetic dentistry.

Crowns

Bonding and fillings are sufficient to correct smaller teeth issues like small enamel fractures and repair smaller areas of decay. However, when more extensive restorations are needed, a dental crown is necessary.

Dental crowns are typical “caps” that cover the entire part of your tooth above the gum line. Crows are made to perfectly fit on the tooth and match the natural shine of the tooth. Many people won’t tell you to have an artificial crown unless you choose to share the news.

Crowns are reasonably durable but can last for years when you take good care of them. You shouldn’t bite down on hard food to avoid breaking your crown.

Dentures

Dentures are meant to repair a completely lost tooth. Depending on the number of teeth lost, you can get a full set, a single denture, or a partial denture. Although they are meant to replace a completely missing tooth, they are designed to be removable; therefore, they aren’t attached to the gums by the root. They are mostly held by pastes or clips.

An advantage of dentures is that they are quite an affordable option for tooth restoration. However, since they are not permanently placed into the gums, they often move around and cause tear and wear to the surrounding teeth, making them uncomfortable. Dentures can also come out while eating.

Implants

Think of dental implants as more sophisticated denture siblings. They are costlier than dentures but offer several benefits. Implants serve the purpose of replacing a permanently lost tooth. They use a titanium post embedded into the gum and on the jawbone. A root is placed first, then a crown over the root post.

There are no risks of swallowing an implant since they are permanently rooted. They are also much comfortable as they serve the purpose of regular teeth.

Your dentist should be the first person to call when you encounter a dental problem. But, what about if a dental problem occurs during a holiday, on a weekend, or at night hours?

If you experience a severe dental problem outside the working office hours, then the right professional to consult is an emergency dentist. You will need to visit an emergency room for treatment.

Not all dental problems, however, are considered dental emergencies. If you can treat the threat remotely from home through first aid methods and can wait till morning, then there’s no need for an emergency dentist.

Diagnosing Dental Emergencies

American Family Physician estimates that dental emergencies have been recorded for about 22% of people in the past 6 months. This shows just how prevalent dental emergencies are.

Still, not all dental situations are considered dental emergencies. If you want to know whether or not you need to visit an emergency room, consider these questions.

• Is there severe pain or bleeding? These are signs of a dental emergency.
• Did you lose a tooth? Fast treatment can save a lost tooth.
• Are any of your teeth loose? Adults shouldn’t have loose teeth. A loose tooth regardless of whether there is pain may indicate a serious problem.
• Do you suspect an infection? Abscesses and infections are potentially life-threatening and should prompt immediate treatment. Signs of infection include swelling on your gums, and around the face.

Generally, emergency dentistry seeks to stop bleeding, prevent severe pain, or save a lost tooth. Broken or lost tooth. If you notice any of the above symptoms, you need emergency attention.

What Is Not Considered A Dental Emergency

When your problem can wait for the next couple of days to see a dentist, it’s not a dental emergency. At times, issues that seem life-threatening can wait a few days as long as you apply the right first aid.

A chipped or fractured tooth, for example, can be a dental emergency if it causes severe pain, bleeding, or has left sharp traumatic fragments in your mouth. Nevertheless, if your chipped tooth doesn’t cause any pain, you can wait till the next day for your dentist.

Toothaches are also considered an emergency if the pain is severe and there is a presence of abscesses and facial swellings and bumps. If you don’t have such symptoms, painkillers can help you hold on till the nearest dental office opens.

If you lost a crown on the weekend or during a trip, you can wait till you get home to see your family dentist. If you so wish, use a denture adhesive to fix the crown back in place till you visit a dentist.

Temporarily sticking a sugar-free gum inside the cavity can also come in handy to salvage a lost filling.

What Are the Common Dental Emergencies

Below are some dental emergencies frequently reported to emergency rooms.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Restorative Dentistry has procedures they can use to re-insert a bashed-out tooth back and save it.

After losing a tooth, carefully pick it up by the crown (avoid touching the root), rinse in milk or saline water, and secure it safely. If possible, you can try reinserting it into the socket. Quickly get to a dentist to raise the odds of saving the tooth.

Fractured or Chipped Tooth

Thoroughly rinse your mouth using warm water if the fracture is intense and causes severe pain. To reduce the swelling, apply a cold compress from the outside of the face. Do not use painkillers or numbing gel as it can worsen the damage. Susan J. Curley DDS recommends acetaminophen as the best medication.

Abscessed Tooth

This is a severe possibly life-threatening condition where a pus-filled pocket on the gums causes an infection. Tooth abscesses can lead to fever, extra tooth sensitivity, persistent toothache, facial swelling, and tendering of lymph nodes in the neck. You can also notice a bump on the gums next to the infected tooth.

An abscess is an emergency condition that can spread the infection into the jaw and surrounding tissues, and possibly to other body parts. As a first aid before visiting a dentist, rinse your mouth using mild saltwater severally to minimize pain and draw the pus outwards.

I’m modern dentistry, inventions, and new technology are what keep things going. They improve the efficiency and precision of doing things. Getting a technology that can cut across different specialties, ranging from cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry to orthodontics and periodontics, has significantly improved dentistry as a practice.

Digital Smile Design (DSD) is one such approach, that has supported many functions across different specialties. Its use has gone ahead to improve value provision for patients at DSD dental.

What is Digital Smile Design?

It is a systemic approach that employs visual perceptions, both photography and videography, embedded on the concept of better analysis of facial and dental proportions. These proportions are needed in specialties like cosmetic dentistry, to create perfection in the mouths of patients.

How Does DSD Work?

Technically, DSD is about taking high-quality digital visuals for your oral cavity and face, by extension, to create a unique design that will help in your treatment. The approach ensures that your examination, diagnosis, and execution of your treatment are thoroughly covered.

The designs created through this approach very well incorporate your desires, as well as your features, to realize highly satisfying outcomes for your smile. All that is needed is:

1. A computer device – either a desktop, laptop, or tablet will do.
2. MS Power-point or Apple Keynote software

When those factors are present, you communicate your desires to your dentist. The designs created from this approach, therefore, combine the digital visuals with communication to give an unmatched experience to patients. It is to mean that the smile you create, is precisely what you envision, with improvements suggested based on the digital visuals taken from your face and mouth.

What Are the Benefits of Using Digital Smile Design?

Anyone that schedules for a cosmetic dental procedure stands to appreciate more the benefits of this approach. However, before then, you must understand that technological advances and approaches in medicine are welcomed as a way to improve the dental experience, for both the dental expert and the patients. The benefits associated with DSD, therefore, are:

1. It properly explores your features – the connection between your teeth, gums, lips, and your other facial features is important is creating a beautiful smile. Since everyone has personal facial characteristics, you cannot expect the same treatments to work equally for all patients. With the help of DSD, your smile will befit your smile and face, capturing even the spectrum of your emotions and facial expressions.
2. Creation of very detailed designs – given how much of your features are analyzed, it is not hard to see why the DSD approach is great for realizing very detailed designs.
3. What you communicate is important – your dental team will be eager to hear your preferences. This communication is also integrated into the entire approach. It is why the results are very satisfactory to patients. It is almost safe to say that the DSD protocols improve the communication between you and your dental design team. Ideally, they listen more to aid their planning, and you share more to aid the final execution of your treatment.
4. Tailored to perfection – you can anticipate near perfect results when DSD dental it used. With heightened communication and high-quality visuals, it is hard not to achieve near-perfect results for your smile.
5. It makes patients co-designers – this process is not about what the dental team can offer, but about what you want them to offer you. With the increased interaction between you and your dental team, you become a co-designer in the oral appliances that will be used to improve the appearance of your smile. This gives you more control over what the outcome of your treatment will be, as opposed to what conventional dentistry can offer you.
6. Encourages transparency – the openness fostered between you and your dentist is unmatched, which also adds to giving you a satisfactory dental experience.

Should You Try DSD Protocols?

If you find these protocols available at a dental clinic near you, do not hesitate to try them, or at least inquire about them. The best part of the deal is that the protocols are only handled by dental experts who are highly competent and confident in using DSD. In that case, you can rest assured that your dentist is well capable of handling the new protocols, for amazing results.

Do you have sudden breathing lapses, snore loudly, or feel tired even after a full night’s sleep? You might have sleep apnea. There are three types of sleep apnea, namely:

• Obstructive sleep apnea. When you have this condition, you will experience breathing problems when your throats muscles relax.
• Central sleep apnea. Breathing problems occur when your brain does not send proper signals to muscles that control breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome. The condition is a result of having both obstructive and central sleep apneas.

In case you have the condition, you can contact your doctor or dentist for treatment.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea might overlap, making it hard for you to determine which condition you have. However, the following are the general symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Loud snoring while sleeping
• Episodes of stopped breathing that can be reported by another person
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Dry mouth when you wake up
• Headaches in the morning
• Insomnia
• Extensive sleepiness during the day
• Concentration difficulties during the day
• Irritability

When Should I See a Specialist?

Loud snoring while sleeping is one of the signs of advanced sleep apnea. However, not everyone that snores has the condition. Therefore, when you have the above symptoms, you should visit your dentist or doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis

Your specialist will diagnose sleep apnea based on your signs and symptoms as well as your sleep history that the dentist or physician will ask you to explain. Alternatively, the specialist can ask somebody you share a household about your sleeping behavior and patterns.

The specialist can also run tests to determine if you have sleep apnea. Some of the tests include:

• Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, your specialist will hook you up to a device that monitors your heart rate, lung, and brain activity. The dentist or doctor will also monitor your breathing patterns, arm, and leg movements, as well as blood oxygen levels while you are sleeping.
• Home-based sleep tests. Your specialist can give you a portable test kit that monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, airflow, and breathing patterns. If the results are abnormal, your specialist can recommend treatment right away without conducting further tests.

Treatment Options

Your dentist or doctor can treat sleep apnea or refer you to a sleep apnea specialist. Some of the sleep apnea treatment options that your specialist can recommend include:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy

If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, this treatment option can be beneficial to you. Your specialist gives you a machine that delivers air pressure to your lungs. The air pressure that the machine delivers is greater than the one in the surrounding, thus keeping your airway open and prevent apneas as well as snoring.

The machine that utilizes a mask to pass the air pressure can be uncomfortable sometimes. However, you will get used to it with time. Also, the specialist can make adjustments to make you feel more comfortable while wearing it.

Oral Appliances

At Dr. Susan J. Curley DDS’s dental office, our dentist can recommend oral appliances. The oral appliances will help in keeping your throat open during sleep. Oral devices are easy to use and work by bringing your jaw forward, to prevent the apneas and snoring.

The dentist will have you try different oral appliances to find the one that is fit for you. The dentist will then schedule regular appointments to ensure the device fits and monitor your progress.

Although it is rare, your specialist can recommend surgery to correct chronic sleep apnea.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea

Sometimes lifestyle changes can be the remedy to apneas, especially central sleep apnea. Below are some of the home remedies for sleep apnea disorder:

• Loss of excess weight to relieve throat constriction
• Routine exercises
• Avoid consuming alcohol or using medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills
• Sleep on your side or abdomen and avoid sleeping on your back to avoid blocking your airway with your tongue
• Avoid smoking

Gaining weight during treatment can affect the effectiveness of your treatment. Therefore, you should ensure you eat a proper diet and exercise to prevent weight gain.

Restorative dentistry is a well-known division of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the teeth and gums as well as their appearance. The methods performed by restorative dentists are similar to those of cosmetic dentists. However, restorative dentists provide many other treatments compared to cosmetic dentists and specialize in the ones requiring surgery.

The different types of treatments provided by restorative dentists will depend on the severity of the issue affecting the patient and the location of the tooth that needs restoration. The three most popular therapeutic dentistry procedures people may need include the following:

Tooth Fillings

Tooth fillings are required by at least 50% of the population of America. Tooth decay is a chronic problem among adults and children alike, and the only method to treat this issue is by filling the tooth with a range of materials including gold, silver amalgam, porcelain, and other materials. Tooth fillings are also helpful to repair broken or cracked teeth that have not developed large holes. Restorative dentists who believe that tooth is incapable of holding the filling often recommend a dental crown to protect the tooth.

After the dentist determines that the tooth needs a filling, he or she will drill the tooth to remove tooth decay accumulated in the cavity and is filled with the bacteria. After that tooth decay is removed, the remainder of the tooth is cleaned by the dentist to eliminate any debris and bacteria. The dental filling is applied to the affected area to seal the hole and restore the tooth.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps for the tooth that are damaged or infected. They encase the tooth to restore its size and shape while enhancing its appearance. Some situations exist when the dentist recommends using dental crowns instead of other options. Dental crowns can be used for the following reasons:

• Crowns can cover and support a weakened tooth.
• The cap is useful to protect a weak tooth from further decay.
• A crown can cover discolored teeth.
• Crowns are suitable as artificial teeth atop dental implants.
• Crowns can also hold a dental bridge in place.

Different types of materials are used to make crowns, including ceramics, metal, stainless steel, porcelain, and composite resin. The metals are used in the back of the mouth to make them less noticeable, particularly on molars. Ceramics and porcelain crowns are used on the visible teeth because they can be color-matched to the natural teeth of the patient. Stainless steel crowns are often used as temporary placements by dentists when the permanent crown is being fabricated in a dental laboratory.

Dental Implants

The popularity of dental implants has gained significantly over the last two decades, especially for replacing missing teeth. The procedure involves fusing titanium posts to the jawbone and waiting until it has integrated with the bone. The process is lengthy but is one that allows patients to have natural looking and feeling artificial teeth in their mouth after losing their permanent teeth.

Patients opting for dental implants to replace missing teeth must be in good oral and physical health before they are considered as suitable candidates for the procedure. The patient must be willing to commit to the process wholeheartedly because multiple surgeries are needed before the artificial tooth is eventually fixed upon the implanted titanium post.

Dental implants can improve the appearance of the patient’s teeth while giving him or her full functionality to eat, speak, and smile without being worried about their artificial teeth falling out like dentures.

Cosmetic dentists may also offer the procedures mentioned in this discussion but, in many cases, will refer patients to restorative dentists who are the qualified professionals for performing these processes.

Restorative dentistry is a beneficial practice because it combines different dental procedures to improve the patient’s health and appearance of their teeth. People considering enhancing the appearance of their teeth should discuss the subject of following restorative dentistry treatments with their regular dentist who may refer them to a qualified individual for the treatments necessary. Generally, dentists are performing some procedures like dental fillings for cavities or cracked and broken teeth. Dentists have received the training to perform some types of procedures. Intensive processes such as placing dental implants or dental crowns are better handled by a restorative dentist.